Hi, All.
I am sending a copy of the email I received from Steve Kress at Hog Island
giving a synopsis of the wonderful camp events this summer as well as info
on registration for summer 2012. I had a wonderful time at the camp.
Spending time with people like Pete Dunn, Steve Kress, Scott Weidensaul and
other top-notch birders was a great experience! Combine that with nice
people from all over the country, super food, and enjoying the Maine coast,
it made for a wonderful birdy vacation. Here's the letter along with a link
to Hog Island at the bottom of the page.
Steve Kress writes:
This was certainly a terrific year in many ways. When I think back to the
summer I reflect on some of the special moments we shared together:
Watching the osprey family raise and fledge a chick while we ate meals in
the Bridge
Catching sight of the record numbers of puffins that were seen at Eastern
Egg Rock
Rounds of applause for Janii’s fantastic cooking (and Janii’s energetic
jigs)
Spontaneous fund-raising for the new stove (Project Muffin) and the $50,000
gift to Hog Island from Friends of Hog Island
Exciting work on restoring the historic Todd-Bingham Cottage
Sharing 75th anniversary celebrations with new and returning campers
The tremendous service projects on seabird islands and Hog Island- long live
the Barberry Pirates!
And the joy of so many beautiful sunrises, sunsets and special moments
watching birds!
Thank you for the rave reviews for our instructors, food and accommodations
and for the many suggestions for further improvements. We have found that
many people plan their summer vacation plans earlier than ever. With this in
mind, I am writing today to let you know we are opening registration this
Monday, October 17th. Also, there is a $50 earlybird discount for
registrations received by December 15th.
2012 programs
Based on our successful programs this year, we are offering similar sessions
in 2012 as well as adding a second week of Joy of Birding and Coastal Maine
Bird Studies for Teens, a new fall migration program, Living on the Wind,
that includes a visit to Monhegan Island, and bringing back the very popular
Family Camp (for adults and children ages 8-12).
The Joy of Birding, Coastal Birding for Teens, and Field Ornithology
sessions feature some of America’s best known birders and birding authors,
including Pete Dunne, Wayne Peterson, Lang Elliott and Scott Weidensaul.
All programs in 2012 will include opportunities for campers to work on
hands-on conservation projects with the Seabird Restoration Program (Project
Puffin). In the spring and fall, two service-learning sessions - offered in
collaboration with Road Scholar – will focus especially on conservation
projects in addition to ornithology programs. To get an idea of what we
accomplish for the birds during these sessions, read the report from last
month’s session.
In July, we are very pleased to again offer a session especially for
educators “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week”. This program will feature
skilled naturalists and teachers from both field and classroom settings.
Among the returning instructors are Ted Gilman from the Greenwich Audubon
Center, Sherry York, a specialist in artistic journaling, Trudy Phillips and
CraigNewburger, award-winning educators from Schuylkill, PA and children’s
book author and videographer Lynne Cherry.
In August, some of Audubon’s most experienced staff and chapter leaders will
offer an Audubon Chapter Leadership Program focused on Audubon’s new
Atlantic Flyway Initiative. There will be sessions on fundraising,
leadership development, how to engage new members in chapter activities, as
well as opportunities for boat trips and exploring the beauty of Hog Island
and Muscongus Bay. Participants are eligible to receive a $225 scholarship
from National Audubon with a matching contribution from their local chapter
for this program.
All summer sessions will enjoy birding, boat trips on Muscongus Bay, and a
visit to see the restored breeding colony of puffins at Eastern Egg Rock,
the first seabird restoration program in the world. I hope you will return
in 2012 for the learning, fun, camaraderie and great food - the combination
that has made Hog Island live in the hearts of everyone that has been
fortunate to have slept on this special island.
Registration opens on Monday!
If you’d like to join us in 2012, you can reserve your place with a
non-refundable deposit of $100. Registration opens at 8am on October 17th,
and there is a $50 earlybird discount for registrations received by December
15th. See http://hogisland.audubon.org for more information and to register
online. If you would prefer to send a check, download and print a
registration form and mail the check and completed form to Hog Island
Registrar, National Audubon Society, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd. Ithaca, NY
14850. Full payment is due on or before March 15th. Registration for the
spring and fall Road Scholar programs is already open. Visit the Road
Scholar website or call 800-454-5768 to enroll.
Sponsoring a camper
In 2011, over 95 campers received full or partial scholarships to attend Hog
Island programs from Audubon Chapters, bird clubs, schools, individual
sponsors and non-profit organizations. What a fantastic way for
organizations to build excitement and inspiration among their members! If
you are part of an organization that would like to sponsor a camper, please
download and print a registration form for sponsoring organizations or
register online. You can register online in the name of the contact person
for your organization and contact the registrar to add the scholarship
recipient once they have been determined.
Spread the Word!
Word-of-mouth is the best way for someone to gain a sense of what Hog Island
programs are all about. I hope that you will share this announcement with
those that you think will enjoy our programs. Please feel free to re-post,
email or customize the press release about the 2012 programs , and contact
Erica if you have questions or would like more information. You can reach
Erica Marx, Registrar & Program Coordinator, at evanetten at audubon.org or
call (607) 257-7308 ext 14.
Before the smell of the ocean and memories of puffins, ospreys and warblers
fade even a little- I hope that you will sign on for another Hog Island
program next summer.
Sincerely,
Stephen Kress, Director
Seabird Restoration Program